Jeremy Lin seeks starter role as he continues honing his skills

PHOTO: Reuters

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwanese-American NBA player Jeremy Lin yesterday said he has continued to sharpen his skills over the ongoing offseason as he aimed to sign a contract with any NBA team where he could be a starter and which fits his style.

Speaking during a press conference in Taipei, Lin said he has engaged in training to improve himself in different areas over the past months after his season ended with disappointment as the Los Angeles Lakers failed to advance to the playoff.

Lin said he had taken three-and-a-half-weeks off after the season was over until beginning to practice again from May 16.

The Harvard graduate said he kicked off his offseason training by receiving a one-on-one point guard tutorial from former Lakers teammate and future Hall of Famer Steve Nash in California.

During the special session, Lin said Nash advised him to make adjustments to his dribbles to make his play more efficient.

He also noted that he and his trainers are considering having him make minor changes to his shooting as well.

The 26-year-old said he released the ball too high over the shoulder so he will make changes by trying to release it lower to shoot more quickly and easily.

"I am hoping that with the adjustment, my three-point-shooting percentage will improve to over 40 per cent in the coming season," he noted.

These offseason training sessions are expected to help him find a desired contract as he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Saying that he prefers to sign with those teams that play his favourite pick-and-roll style hoop, Lin noted that he also wanted to join teams that will make him a starting guard.

He added that he would be happy to play under Mike D'Antoni again, his former coach during his Linsanity days in the New York Knicks.

Lin made the comments during a press conference in Taipei yesterday morning, only few hours after he landed in his parents' home country around midnight after concluding his tour of mainland China and Hong Kong.

Praying for Victims of Colored Powder Fire Disaster

During yesterday's press event, Lin said he was extremely sorry to hear about the recent tragedy in Taiwan when nearly 500 people were injured during a coloured powder fire disaster Saturday at a water park in New Taipei City.

"I feel sorry for them because they were simply joining an interesting activity when the accident happened," he said.

Lin said he will pray for the victims of the tragedy and hopes they will recover soon.

Similar to his Taiwan trip of the previous year, during his ongoing weeklong stay in Taiwan, Lin will attend a basketball camp where high school and junior high school basketball players selected from around the island will have opportunities to be coached by the player.

On July 4, 600 fans will have access to an event where Lin will meet with fans at the National Taiwan University gymnasium.